VAT

Vestibular Autorotation Test

About the test

Vestibular autorotation test, or simply called VAT test, is to test the inner ear and balance. It is usually done on people that have balance issues, difficulty walking, vertigo, dizziness with eyes closed or open, and history of falling. There’s no pain and it is relatively easy to follow.

It is a simple procedure that takes between 15-40 minutes depending on the patient, where you sit down and a helmet with electrodes is placed on the head. The test itself is two parts, the first consists of lights and following them with your eyes, the second part of the VAT uses noise. The noise part of the test is crucial for the results so this test is not recommended for people with neck problems or limited movement of their upper body. Once the test is read, the doctor will have options for the patients depending on their results.

The Importance

Balance testing needs to be a part of basic primary care…all physicians need to be monitoring and screening their patients for vestibular dysfunction so that we can take preventative measures to guard against falling.

– Dr. Lloyd Minor

“Dizziness is an extremely common symptom occurring in people of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. In fact, it is the third most common complaint for visiting a doctor and increases with age, becoming the number one reason for visiting a doctor after age 75,”